Module Descriptors
CAREER PLANNING, ACADEMIC RESEARCH & STUDY SKILLS (WORK-BASED LEARNING)
COIS60740
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 6
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Janet Francis
Email: J.Francis@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 3
Independent Study Hours: 147
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- COURSEWORK weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
This module aims to develop your skills to help support independent learning required for the honours project and also to consider the next steps after the degree as a Staffordshire Graduate. There are three aspects to the module. The first aspect of the module focuses on the applied/practical skills that are necessary to perform effectively as a remote and independent learner undertaking an honours level project. Typical areas within this include: navigating and searching digital libraries, effective methods and tools for academic referencing, concept/mind mapping tools and techniques, effective communication and presentation skills; collaborative/remote working: principles, practice and how to make the most of the student-tutor relationship.
The second aspect develops your appreciation and understanding of academic research and how this underpins your programme of learning and knowedge development. Typical areas within this include: research methodology, scoping and setting a research question, developing aims and objectives, ethics, undertaking an outline literature review. This will prepare you for your honours project.
The third aspect looks ahead and will involve an appreciation of lifelong learning, CPD, enterprise and entrepreneurship, global issues and the global economy. It includes career exploration in the context of your current career and your aspirations once you have completed your honours award.
The second aspect develops your appreciation and understanding of academic research and how this underpins your programme of learning and knowedge development. Typical areas within this include: research methodology, scoping and setting a research question, developing aims and objectives, ethics, undertaking an outline literature review. This will prepare you for your honours project.
The third aspect looks ahead and will involve an appreciation of lifelong learning, CPD, enterprise and entrepreneurship, global issues and the global economy. It includes career exploration in the context of your current career and your aspirations once you have completed your honours award.
Module Additional Assessment Details
A coursework weighted at 100% consisting of:-
Development of a career action plan (equivalent to 1000 words) weighted at 40% (Learning Outcome 4)
A research paper (2000 words) weighted at 60%
The paper will be based on a negotiated topic (negotiated between you and your tutor) and will demonstrate the application of your research and study skills (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, and 3).
Development of a career action plan (equivalent to 1000 words) weighted at 40% (Learning Outcome 4)
A research paper (2000 words) weighted at 60%
The paper will be based on a negotiated topic (negotiated between you and your tutor) and will demonstrate the application of your research and study skills (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, and 3).
Module Learning Strategies
An on-line Module Work Book will be provided which will guide students through a series of tasks which will give structure to independent academic research, work-based investigation and practical work-based learning.
Independent Academic Research
Students will be expected to undertake around 50 hours of independent academic study during the course of the module. This will be guided by a series of academic tasks such as producing research reports, working through case studies etc. and will require access to academic resources.
Work Based Component
Students will need to spend circa 50 hours over the course of the module undertaking work-based tasks. This will include investigation of how aspects of the academic learning apply to the workplace and development of new skills. Students may have a work-based mentor to support the mentees in completion of set tasks.
Academic contact time will be used to provide academic support for students learning on an ad-hoc basis via VLE. Students will be put into study groups (4 students) where possible and there will typically be 8 scheduled 15 minute sessions for each group of up to 4 students.
1 hour of Academic Contact time will be used for two individual 30 minute formative reviews. Where necessary, reviews will be conducted virtually using appropriate tools. Employer Feedback Forms will be completed by the work-based mentor and Self asessment forms will be completed by the student. These will inform the reviews.
Independent Academic Research
Students will be expected to undertake around 50 hours of independent academic study during the course of the module. This will be guided by a series of academic tasks such as producing research reports, working through case studies etc. and will require access to academic resources.
Work Based Component
Students will need to spend circa 50 hours over the course of the module undertaking work-based tasks. This will include investigation of how aspects of the academic learning apply to the workplace and development of new skills. Students may have a work-based mentor to support the mentees in completion of set tasks.
Academic contact time will be used to provide academic support for students learning on an ad-hoc basis via VLE. Students will be put into study groups (4 students) where possible and there will typically be 8 scheduled 15 minute sessions for each group of up to 4 students.
1 hour of Academic Contact time will be used for two individual 30 minute formative reviews. Where necessary, reviews will be conducted virtually using appropriate tools. Employer Feedback Forms will be completed by the work-based mentor and Self asessment forms will be completed by the student. These will inform the reviews.
Module Texts
Students will be expected to engage with independent reading, which should include texts, journals, websites that are pertinent to the learning outcomes and the issues or areas that form the focus of the module. Indicative text:
How to Research - 3rd Edition, Loraine Blaxter, Christina Hughes, Malcome Tight. Open University Press, 2006. ISBN: 9780335229536. Available on Staffordshire University's Digital Libary (ebrary)
Healy, Midk; Jenkins, Alan (2009) Developing Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, The Higher Education Academy
Bradbury, Helen (2010) Beyond Reflective Practice: New Approaches to Professional Lifelong Learning, Routledge, ISBN: 0415467934
How to Research - 3rd Edition, Loraine Blaxter, Christina Hughes, Malcome Tight. Open University Press, 2006. ISBN: 9780335229536. Available on Staffordshire University's Digital Libary (ebrary)
Healy, Midk; Jenkins, Alan (2009) Developing Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, The Higher Education Academy
Bradbury, Helen (2010) Beyond Reflective Practice: New Approaches to Professional Lifelong Learning, Routledge, ISBN: 0415467934
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Must be enrolled on an honours level distance learning or work-based learning award.
Module Resources
Internet, Blackboard VLE, Skype, DropBox, Google Docs.
University Digital Library
Careersweb at: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/careers
University Digital Library
Careersweb at: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/careers